Stephen SPARKMAN

by Jack Sparkman East London, Siuth Africa

Born in the year 1735 and Christened on the 27th May 1735 in Botley, probably in the Old Church,(St. Bartholomew's) which then contained a font (since transferred to the new Church - All Saints) carved by a Norman stonemason. Stephen was the son of John and Anne Sparkman and, on 17 October 1768, he was married to Mary BUTLER by the Reverend G Jackson in the Church of St. Peter, the Parish Church of Titchfield.

Stephen and Mary appear to have lived in Botley for the remainder of their lives and produced a large Family as follows:- 1. John Born Christened 5-3-1769 Botley 2. Stephen Born Christened 7-4-1771 Botley Married to ??? they had a daughter Fanny who was born about 1805 in Southampton 3. Mary Born Christened 3-S-1773 Botley 4. Richard Born Christened 2-7-1775 Botley (He must have died in infancy, because another Richard - also an infant - was buried on 12-9-1781 at Botley) 5. Richard Born Christened 3-11-1776 Botley 6. Henry Born Christened 26-10-1777 Botley (He too must have died in infancy, because another Henry was christened on 21-12-1783 at Botley - see 9, below) 7. George Born Christened Died Buried 30-12-1779 Botley 8. Edward Born Christened 11-3-1781 Botley

9. Henry Born Christened 21-12-1783 Botley Married 20-12-1807 Alverstoke (probably St. Mary's Church) to Anna Maria SMITH (daughter of William and Charity) Christened 25-5-1789 Bishopstoke Died 1814 Buried 20-10-1814 Botley

(Note:- Photocopies of extracts from original Baptism and Marriage Register Records in my possession) 10. Isaac Born Christened 23-4-1786 Botley Died (in infancy) Buried 20-8-1786 Botley 11. James Born Christened 1-7-1787 Botley Died (in infancy) Buried 2-10-1787 Botley 12. Ann Born Christened 22-6-1788 Botley Died (in infancy) Buried 25-7-1788 Botley